With MVP's win, I count three wins this week from head kicks, including Bryan and Del Rio. As Scott Keith pointed out this week, this gives the matches a new MMA flavor. Also I suspect MVP has a new finisher: a bicycle enziguri.

Kaval pins Ziggler and cashes in his NXT title shot on Sunday. Fine. Good. But he has to show more than we saw this week. He needs to show that offense we love.

It feels just about time for Big Show to turn heel again, and Del Rio could use some muscle at ringside.

Not digging Edge's kidnapping of Paul, but I do like Kane's despair. There's a nice subtext that he doesn't know how to solve a problem he can't scare or beat up. That's why he fell into tears.

Originally posted by Matt TrackerWith MVP's win, I count three wins this week from head kicks, including Bryan and Del Rio. As Scott Keith pointed out this week, this gives the matches a new MMA flavor. Also I suspect MVP has a new finisher: a bicycle enziguri.

MVP's been using that one for a few weeks now. It just needs to be given a name and not the usual "WHATAKICK!" from Grisham. Unless that's the name, of course. But I do like the trend and it's a lot cooler than the trend of cheesy finishers that started with the People's Elbow.

Second the love for Cody. Watching him lose it after the opening slap was gold.

The battle royale was such a crappy way to end the show, but I guess we're past the point that we can just give away ADR/Rey for free.

I should have said this last week, but I've noticed the new "Titantron element-driven" chyron being used. (I don't necessarily have any opinion for or against it, but I noticed it!) But, really: ARE there a whole lotta palm trees in Ghana? Upon further consultation of The Internet: YES THERE ARE!!

Originally posted by Matt TrackerWith MVP's win, I count three wins this week from head kicks, including Bryan and Del Rio. As Scott Keith pointed out this week, this gives the matches a new MMA flavor.

Wow, really? And people buy that? To me - to ME - that observation makes about as much sense as offering that recent match commentary has taken on a decidedly "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" bent.

Why *didn't* Kane ask the guys in the truck where the camera crew was?

Originally posted by CRZWow, really? And people buy that? To me - to ME - that observation makes about as much sense as offering that recent match commentary has taken on a decidedly "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" bent.

One of his running arguments is that the WWE has trained audiences to mentally check out of matches until the recognizable endgame starts: the face comeback, the false pinfalls, the exchange of high-level signature moves, and the eventual successful finisher/surprise roll-up. That dramatic crescendo works for a reason, but the formula makes the rest of the match negligible. Using one-shot KOs gives people a reason to stay attuned to the match. I get that.

But wrestling is theatre. It builds. MMA is an open-ended exchange of strategies, and sometimes they work so well, there is no drama (note the 21-second knockout in the co-main event just last night).

My reaction to the kick finishers was disappointment. I understand Bryan and Swagger avoiding a submission ending (and I hope they save that for a later match), but it was such a quick end, it wasn't satisfying. Same for Del Rio over Sarge, but again, I don't want to see Sarge tap out. A KO shot is a kinder end for a Legend against a younger opponent.

Ah. So WWE Sunday 10AM will indeed be a recap show (which is what it used be), and they're just making it so Velocity and Heat are at the same time but different days. I guess that works. Good to know Steven won't have to change his pants.